By: Eric Wood
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida stands in front of a large crowd of supporters in his hometown of Miami. The Senator said, “And so, that is why tonight, grounded by the lessons of our history, but inspired by the promise of our future, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States.” Cheers exploded from the crowd.
Rubio, a United States Senator from Florida, started off his career at the University of Florida and went on to the University of Miami School of Law. After serving as a City Commissioner for West Miami, Rubio was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000. In 2005, he was elected to become the Speaker of the House. In 2010, Rubio ran for the United States Senate and was elected.
He served as the chair of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Rubio is also on the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.
Civil Rights
Senator Rubio has many ideas for immigration as well. According to Rubio’s campaign website, Rubio believes that the U.S. immigration system is chaotic. “A significant percentage of those here illegally arrived legally but then overstayed visas. We do not know who most of them are or where they are,” said Rubio’s Presidential website. Rubio plans to first solve the economic crisis and establish a thriving employment system. Rubio plans to do this because the illegals won’t have jobs to steal from the legal immigrants and Americans. After this, Rubio plans to legalize the illegal immigrants. Rubio also stated that the U.S. keeps sending foreign exchange students, who are bright and clever, back to their respected countries.
Foreign Policy
Rubio’s campaign also stated that he will reimpose the sanctions on Iran in one day. Rubio also adds that Iranian leaders will have to choose between having an economy and having a nuclear program. “I will back this up with a credible threat of military force if Iran chooses to ramp up its program,” stated Rubio on his campaign website. The Miami native also added that he will work with Congress to force more sanctions on Iran.
Rubio also believes that the only way to defeat ISIL and other terrorist groups is to put troops on the ground and work with the Kurds and Sunni Tribes. On Rubio’s website, marcorubio.com, Rubio said that,“If America doesn’t make this our fight, the West will not win.” Either we win, or they do.
The former Senator also wishes to strengthen the U.S.’s alliance with Israel. “Israel deserves our support and respect,” said Rubio. Much like the U.S. , Israel has been attacked by Palestinian terrorists daily.
Marco Rubio also repeatedly stated that North Korea is dangerous. He said that North Korea is insecure, aggressive, and ambitious. Rubio has four ways to stop this: counter North Korea’s aggression, add North Korea to the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, bolster deterrence (rebuild US missile defense system and enhance alliance with South Korea and Japan), and promote Human Rights and Democracy.
The Senator said that his plan in the military front, as President, is to build a coalition of countries that are willing to put ground troops in Syria and Iraq to help destroy ISIL. Rubio also stated that he wants to continue airstrikes and take Bashar al-Assad (the President of Syria) from power.
Rubio is a leader when it comes to countering Russia’s aggression. If Rubio is president, he wishes to do 5 things. One is defending the Ukrainians freedom. Rubio then wants to protect Europe from Russia, “reclaim leadership on Syria”, and democratize activists, journalists, and dissidents. The final thing Rubio would like to accomplish is showing the world that Russia has violated the Arms Control Agreement.
Education
Rubio believes that the U.S. education program is broken. According to his campaign website, in the Education section, Rubio said, “It is too expensive, too time consuming, and too inflexible for busy single parents and working adults.” One of the ways Rubio wants to alter is to diminish the cost of student loans. A way Rubio plans to do this is base the cost of the loans off the salary in a percentage. Apart from this, Rubio wishes to “promote better learning opportunities for students with disabilities.”
Guns
Marco Rubio also comments on the 2nd Ammendment, the right to bear arms. Rubio’s website said that criminals will find a way to get firearms and that limiting the 2nd Amendment and making firearms illegal will have no impact. As well as this, Rubio says that President Obama has attempted to ban the 2nd Amendment twice and Hillary Clinton, the leading Democrat, will intensify and redouble the attempts.
Rubio persistently states that any new restrictions should not violate the good and law-following people of America. These people might want to hunt, shoot for sport, or protect their families.
Climate Change
Marco Rubio, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, acknowledged that sea levels are rising. With that, Rubio also believes that the US should be more energy efficient. Rubio, a firm believer in climate change, stated, “I don’t agree with the notion that some are putting out there, including scientists, …Our climate is always changing.”
Campaign Finance
Rubio, speaking to Reuters, stated he has up to $40 million to back him and his political spending. “Marco Rubio will have the resources necessary to run a first-class campaign, that’s already been determined,” stated Norman Braman, one of Rubio’s biggest donors.
